Parties are on tap on holidays to Platanias, but the golden sands are also perfect for sunbathing – kick back or turn up as you fancy.
Platanias party
The north-west coast of Crete's where the party's at – especially at Platanias, a buzzy seaside town with a long main street packed with bars and nightclubs. To the north of town lies a welcoming beach, while the south's got a surprisingly peaceful old town nestled in the hillside.
Culture fix
It's not just a party place, Platanias has a cultural side, too. The tiny war shelter museum will clue you up on the ingenuity of locals during the invasion of World War Two. Or, you can sample the best wines in the region at the Karavitakis vineyard, around 20 minutes away by car.